ktvu is live. firefighters tell us they were forced to take a defensive stance as flames shot 50 feet into the air. it took crews about an hour to put out the fire. >>> today severe weather is swept through the southern states from texas to florida with several tornado sightings. this video is from mobile alabama where an apparent funnel cloud touched down this evening it took down tree limbs and power lines and caused damage to homes, a high school and a church. at least 20,000 customers are without power. >>> an in louisiana a brave boater captured this waterspout on camera just north of new orleans. the spout formed over lake pontchartrain. new orleans and the surrounding areas remains on alert for tor -- tornadoes through the night. >>> the same storm system bringing a lot of snow to the sierra. a winter storm warning causing problems. >> reporter: these brake lights greeted drivers to the sierra. >> merry christmas. >> reporter: at times many went no faster than 10-miles-an- hour. and had dela